PREVIEWS: A huge weekened in the Down hurling and football championships

DOWN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINALS

CASTLEWELLAN V LOUGHINISLAND

Friday, Liatroim, 7.30pm

A REPEAT of the first round of the Down championship, which Loughinisland won by three points, 1-12 to 1-9. Loughinisland also saw off Warrenpoint in the last round which will be a huge boost to their confidence.

Verdict: Loughinisland

CARRYDUFF V MAYOBRIDGE

Saturday, Castlewellan, 4.30pm

MAYOBRIDGE lost out to Burren after extra time in the first-round while Carryduff didn’t break much of a sweat getting through to the last eight. It’s incredibly hard to call but Carryduff could just get over the line.

Verdict: Carryduff

CLONDUFF V KILCOO

Sunday, Pairc Esler, 6pm

IT’S Clonduff’s second go at Kilcoo in the championship and if the first is anything to go by then this could be fairly one sided. Conleith Gilligan’s men won 2-12 to 0-4 and another semi-final place looks guaranteed.

Verdict: Kilcoo

BURREN V WARRENPOINT

Monday, Páirc Esler, 7.15pm

PERHAPS the tie of the round, both have been built up as potential contenders to Kilcoo’s dominant throne. The confidence and momentum taken from winning the league will surely carry Burren further into this championship.

Verdict: Burren

DOWN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION PLAYOFF

AN RIOCHT V LONGSTONE

Sunday, Atticall, 1pm

AN RIOCHT Riocht were hammered by Bredagh in the semi-finals while Longstone put up a competitive fight against Bryansford in their last four clash. Longstone should be too good here and will prevail.

Verdict: Longstone

DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINALS

ANNACLONE V ROSTREVOR

Friday, Burren, 7.30pm

ROSTREVOR are the only Division One team competing in the Intermediate Championship and that experience of playing at a higher level should make them favourites to get over the line against Annaclone.

Verdict: Rostrevor

SAVAL V TULLYLISH

Saturday, Glenn, 2pm

SAVAL have been racking up huge scores in the early rounds, hitting a combined 5-34 in two outings and have already defeated Tullylish handsomely in round two so should book their spot in the last four.

Verdict: Saval

LIATROIM V DRUMGATH

Saturday, Saval, 5pm

LIATROIM made it through to the quarterfinals in dramatic fashion as they needed penalties to finally get over Darragh Cross. Drumgath had an easier time making it through, but Liatroim could prove a step too far.

Verdict: Liatroim

BALLYMARTIN V ST JOHN’S DRUMNAAQUOILE

Monday, Kilcoo, 7pm

ST John’s offer an eye-catching goal scoring threat having hit the net eight times during the opening two rounds of the Intermediate Championship, including two in their two-point win over Ballymartin and they may be able to repeat that feat.

Verdict: St John’s

DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION PLAYOFF

BRIGHT V ST PAUL’S

Sunday, Darragh Cross, 1pm

BOTH sides suffered big defeats throughout the championship and St Paul’s have just come off the back of one in the semi-final at the hands of Darragh Cross. Bright just lost out to Newry Bosco by three and may just get over the line in this one.

Verdict: Bright

DOWN JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINALS

AGHADERG V EAST BELFAST

Saturday, Ballykinlar, 2pm

EAST Belfast earned an impressive win 13-point over Glasdrumman the last day out and defeated Aghaderg when the sides clashed last season, leaving them as the favourites to do the same this weekend.

Verdict: East Belfast

DROMARA V ST COLMAN’S

Saturday, Clonduff, 2pm

DROMARA were big winners over Kilclief in the opening round of the Junior Championship with a 12-point victory and played in a higher league grade than St Colman’s this year, making them favourites for this game.

Verdict: Dromara

KILCLIEF V TECONNAUGHT

Saturday, Bright, 2pm

KILCLIEF saw off Glasdrumman with 16-points to spare last weekend so they’re heading into this contest with confidence and momentum. Despite playing at a division below, Kilclief had a good campaign and could cause an upset here.

Verdict: Kilclief

ARDGLASS V DUNDRUM

Monday, Downpatrick, 7pm

IN what is probably the tie of the round and the hardest game to call, both sides will fancy their chances of getting through to the last four. Nobody scored more than Dundrum in the first round and that firepower could see them through.

Verdict: Dundrum

DOWN SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALS

PORTAFERRY V BALLYGALGET

Sunday, Portaferry, 3pm

LAST year’s beaten finalist Portaferry will hope to get back to the decider and right the wrongs of 2021. Portaferry saw off Ballygalget in round four of the group stages with ease and should do so again.

Verdict: Portaferry

BALLYCRAN V BREDAGH

Sunday, Ballycran, 5pm

REIGNING champions Ballycran have home advantage here and have been the dominant force in Down hurling for the last number of years, winning three of the last four titles. They’ll make it through to the showpiece once again.

Verdict: Ballycran